Separating slide fastener



July 27, 1943. A. E. CARLlLE 2,325,305

SEPARAT ING SLIDE FASTENER Filed May 1, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTO R N EY .July 27, 1943. A. E. CARLILE 2,325,305

SEPARATING' SLIDE FASTENER I Filed May 1, 1942 2 Sheets-Shea 2 55 Jkflm I I 59 y' a1 55 if INVENTOR Hzfred E; L'ary'le,

ATTORNEY Patented July 27, 1943 SEPARATING SLIDE FASTENER Alfred E. Carlilc, Meadvillc, Pa., assignor to Talon. Inc., a corporation of Pennsylvania.

Application May 1, 1942, Serial No. 441,301

15 Claims.

This invention relates to slide fasteners and, in particular, to the provision of a new and improved slide fastener particularly adapted for elongated closures which are normally closed and opened thereby in conventional manner and which fastener, in addition, may be instantly stripped (when closed) by a single motion to open the closure, especially in case of emergency.

It is an object of this invention to provide, in such a fastener, a new and improved top stop or upper end fitting normally performing the functions of a conventional slider movement limiting top stop but which also supports the slider in its fastener closing position and which, when desired, may be snapped sidewise through the flanges of the slider to achieve immediate stripp of the fastener.

It is a further object of this invention to provide, in such a fastener, a new and improved separating bottom end fitting particularly adapted for cooperation with the above described top stop in facilitating stripping of the slide fastener, without movement of the slider from its uppermost position, upon manual application of a sidewise jerk applying oppositely directed transverse forces to opposite sides of the upper end of the fastener by a single operation to spread the stringer tapes.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will appear from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which form a part thereof, and will be pointed out in the appended claims.

In conventional slide fastened coat or jacket closures the slide fastener comprises a pair of stringer tapes secured to the garment at opposite sides of the closure opening, each stringer tape having thereon a row of interlocking fastener members. A top stop is secured to each stringer tape at the upper end of the row of fastener members thereon. At the lower end of each row of interlocking fastener members, one of the complementary parts of a separating bottom end fitting is secured to that tape. These complementary parts comprise a pin member o one tape and a retainer member on the other tape, the retainer member being provided with a socket adapted removably to receive the pin member for detachably connecting the lower tape ends together. A slider is also supported on that stringer tape to which the retainer member is secured, the slider being movable longitudinally of the row of fastener members on the tape, from the of the garment.

retainer member at the lower end to the top stop 55 at the upper end thereof and being generally of the automatic locking type.

When the closure, and the fastener, is open, and the portions secured to the respective tapes are separated, it is necessary, in order to close the fastener and the closure, to bring the slider to its lowermost position adjacent the retainer member on that tape then to thread the pin member through the channel of the slider and into the socket in the retainer member wherein it must be fully seated before upward movement of the slider may occur to close the fastener and the closure. After the complementary parts of the separating bottom end fitting are thus connected, the slider is pulled up over the row of interlocking fastener members which are pro gressively engaged thereby until upward movement of the slider is halted by engagement of the slider with the top stops. When the slider is in this closed position, the stringers are connected by interengagement of the interlocking fastener members to close the fastener, and the closure opening in which it is secured.

When the slider of the conventional separating end slide fastener is in this uppermost closed position, it is necessary, in order to open the fastener and the garment closure and free the portions of the garment at opposite sides of the closure opening, to move the slider downwardly from its uppermost position adjacent the top stop completely to the bottom of the row of interlocking fastener members to close engagement with the retainer member and then, while holding the slider in this position, to thrust or draw the pin member upwardly through the aligned pin receiving socket and slider channel completely above the slider to separate the lower ends Thus, when such a conventional separating end slide fastener is closed, it is necessary, in order to open the fastener, to slide the slider downwardly over the rows of fastener member to its lowermost position; and then to draw the pin member upwardly through the aligned pin receiving socket and channel.

The first of the above operations is relatively ventional slide fasteners used in such closures, accidental separation of the interlocking fastener members sometimes occurs behind, or below, the slider. Extraordinary measures must then be taken to free the slider from the rows of interlocking fastener members on the pin side of the fastener in order that the fastener may be freed from the pin supporting fastener tape and thereafter brought to its lowermost position on the other tape, adjacent theretainermember thereon. It is generally necessary, in such' cases; that the flanges of the slider be spread apart beyond the elastic limit of the slider (requiring repair of the slider before it is capable of further satisfactory use) or that one or both of the top stops be removed (requiring subsequent replacement) before the slider may be returned to its lowermost position on the retainer side of the fastener and free from the pin supporting fastener tape. This condition must be achieved before further normal operation of the fastener may be initiated.

According to the principles of this invention, all of the above disadvantages are totally obviated since at least one of the top stops of the separating end slide fastener is so formed that it may be snapped through the flanges of the slider, when the slider is in its uppermost, closed position, whereafter the cooperating rows of interlocking fastener members on the respective tapes will be progressively separated completely to the lower ends of the rows and wherein the retainer member is so formed that this complete separation of the rows of interlocking fastener members will be followed, automatically, by a falling-out of the pin member from the pin receiving socket in the retainer member, thus accomplishing by the application of a single transverse tape spreading jerk adjacent the upper end of the fastener a complete, instantaneous stripping of the fastener from end to end.

This instant, stripping is an extremely important feature where time is of the essence, such as in aviation and paratroop garments, and military sleeping :bags and other equipment, such as protective covers for guns and the like, where the fastener may be normallyoperated in conventional manner, 1. e., opened by sliding the slider from the upper end to the lower end of the fastener but instantaneously stripped by a single movement in case of emergency to provide instant egress from garments or instant access to enclosures or the like provided with closures equipped with such fasteners.

Furthermore, where an accidental separation of the interlocking fastener members has occurred behind, or below, the slider, application of the same type of force will cause the fastener to strip from the upper end to the separated portion and thence through the separated portion completely to the lower ends of the rows of fastener members whereafter the pin will fall out automatically to complete the stripping or separation of the fastener stringers.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is an illustrative diagrammatic view of adacket having a front closure equipped with a slide fastener constructed according to this invention, with the parts in closed position;

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. l but showing the parts at the beginning of a fastener stripping operation, the top stop being freed from the slider} Fig. 3 is a view similar to Figs. 1 and 2 but showing the rows of interlocking fastener members of the fastener completely stripped, or separated, with the pin member of the separating end fitting at the lower end of the fastener dropping out of the retainer member of the separating end fitting;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Figs. 1, 2 and 3 but showing the jacket closure completely open, the fastener stringers being completely separated and free from connection and the pin member of the separating end fitting having dropped out of the retainer member thereof;

Fig. 5v is-a fragmentary view, in perspective, of the slide fastener diagrammatically illustrated in Figs. 1-4 inclusive, with the parts in the position of Fi 1;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view, in perspective, and partly in section, of the separating end fitting shown in Fig. 5, the parts being shown in the position illustrated in Fig. 3;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary plan view, partly in section, of the top stop of the fastener illustrated in Figs. 1-5 inclusive, with the parts in the position of Figs. 1 and 5;

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic view, in perspective, of a sleeping bag equipped with slide fasteners according to this invention,

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary enlarged transverse section taken substantially on the line 99 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary enlarged transverse section taken substantially on the lin Ill-Ill of Fig. 7;

Fig. 11 is a, fragmentary view of a fastener stringer tape equipped with a modified top stop constructed according to this invention, the position of the cooperating slider side flange being illustrated in dash lines;

Fig. 12 is an enlarged transverse section taken substantially on the line l2-l2 of Fig. 11 and also showing the position of the slider side flanges in dash lines;

Fig. 13 is an enlarged fragmentary view, in perspective, and partly in section, of a second modified form of top stop constructed according to the principles of this invention; and

Fig. 14 is an enlarged longitudinal section taken substantially on the line M-H of Fig. 13.

Referring to the drawings in detail and with reference particularly to Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4, the

garment therein illustrated is generally designated 20 and includes a right front panel 2 I, a left front panel 22, a back panel 23 and a collar 24, all secured together in conventional manner. Attached to the front edge of the right front panel 2! is the right-hand stringer of a separating end slide fastener which right-hand stringer is generally designated 25, the complementary stringer of the fastener being generally designated 26 and being secured to the front edge of the left front panel 22 and this fastener being constructed according to the principles of this invention.

The details of this slide fastener are illustrated in Figs. 5, 6, 7, 9 and 10 wherein it will be seen that the right-hand stringer 25 comprises a textile stringer tape 21 having a reinforced edge 28 to which is secured a row of predeterminedly spaced interlocking fastener members 29, a similar row of interlocking fastener members 29 being secured in like manner to the reinforced edge 3| of the lefthand stringer tape 30. Secured to the reinforced edge 28 of the right-hand stringer tape 21 at the upper end of the row of interlocking fastener members 29 thereon is a conventional top stop 32 which effectively limits upward movement of the slider with respect to the right-hand stringer 25, in conventional manner.

The lower end of the right-hand stringer tape 21 is turned over upon itself at 21a. Secured to the lower end of the reinforced edge 28 of the stringer tape 21, below the row of interlocking fastener members 29 thereon, is a tube member 34 to which is secured the retainer member 35 of the separating end fitting generally designated 35, which retainer member 35 limits downward movement of the slider with respect to the righthand stringer tape in conventi nal manner.

In other words, the cooperating top stop 32 and retainer member 35 retain the slider on the row of interlocking fastener members 29 on the right-hand stringer 25 in conventional manner. The retainer member 35 is provided with a tube receiving socket 31 which receives the above described tube member 34 which is fixed therein in conventional manner. The retainer member is also provided with a pin receiving socket 38 which is spaced transversely from the socket 31 and which pin receiving socket 38 communicates through the slot 39 with the left-hand side of the retainermember 35. The slot 39 is enlarged at its upper end, at 4|, to permit falling out of the pin member of the separating end fitting when the stringers .25 and 26 are separated substantially throughout their length, as shown in Figs. 3 and 6, thus operating in unconventional manner in cooperation with the hereinafter described improved top stop on the left-hand stringer to secure the new result achieved by this invention. This last mentioned pin member is generally designated 40.

The lower end of the left-hand stringer tape 30 is turned over upon itself at 30a and secured to this turned over portion 30a and the reinforced edge 3| of the tape 39, below the row of interlocking fastener members 29, is the pin member 40. This pin member is detachably received in the above described pin receiving socket 38. When the slider is in its lowermost position, adjacent the retainer member 35, this pin member may be threaded through the channel of the slider, between its flanges, and thence downwardly to seated position in the pin receiving socket'38 of the retainer member 35. Thereafter, upward movement of the slider progressively connects or meshes the rows of interlocking fastener members 29 to close the fastener.

The slider is generally designated 42 and is of conventional form,- comprising generally similar wings 43 (Fig. and 44 (Fig. '7), each provided with marginal side flanges 45, and connected at their upper ends by a neck or wedge 49 which maintains them in fixed spaced relation and which cooperates with the marginal side flanges 45 to form a substantially Y-shaped upwardly diverging channel for guiding the rows of interlocking fastener members 29 progressively into and out of interlocking relationship.

Extending outwardly from the front wing 43 is a. lug 41 to which is secured, in conventional manner, a manually engageable pull tab 48 by means of which the slider 42 may be moved in opposite directions on the rows of interlocking fastener members 29 progressively to engage and disengage them to close and open the fastener.

Secured to the upper end of the left-hand stringer tape 30, above the row of interlocking fastener members 29 thereon, as shown in Figs. 5, '7, 9 and 10, is a new and. improved top stop constructed according to this invention. This top stop, generally designated 50, supports the slider 42 in its uppermost, fastener closing position, positively limiting upward movement of the slider with respect to the left-hand stringer tape 39 and normally maintaining the slider on the track, or, in other words, preventing its escape from the row of interlocking fastener members 29 on the left-hand stringer-tape 30.

The improved top stop illustrated in Figs. 5, '7, 9 and 10 and therein generally designated 50 is clamp-like and comprises a pair of wings or plate portions 5| and 52 adapted closely to engage opposite sides of the tape 39 and connected by an enlarged or thickened flange or section extending over the reinforced edge 3| of the tape, and comprising a relatively narrow lower flange portion 53 of substantially rectangular section and an outwardly and upwardly flaring,

progressively thinner, substantially trapezoidal flange portion 54.

The rear, or lower, plate portion 52 has a tab, or prong, 55 extending from its outer end which extends forwardly through the tape 30 and is bent over upon the upper or front plate portion 5|, as shownin Figs. 7 and 10. Similar tabs 56 extend from the upper and lower edges of the upper or front plate portion 5| through the tape 30 and are bent over upon the'lower or rear plate portion 53, as shown in Figs. 9 and 10. Thus, by means of the tabs 55 and 56 the plate portions 5| and 52 arefirmly secured together and clamped to the tape 30 in such manner that relative movement between the-top stop 50 and the tape 30 is effectively prevented.

The thickness of the flange portion 53 is substantially greater than the space between the adjacent slider flanges 45, as shown in Fig. 10. As also shown in that figure, this lower flange portion 53 joins the fiat plate portions 5| and 52 in relatively acute bends forming shoulders 53a which normally effectively maintain the flange portion of the top stop 50 in the channel of the slider 42.

The upper flange portion 54, though thinner than the lower flange portion 53, is slightly thicker than the space between the above described adjacent flanges 45 of the slider, as shown in Fig. 9. This upper flange portion 54 joins the plate portions 5| and 52 by relatively gently inclined surfaces 5411, as also shown in that figure, and these surfaces 540. act as a wedge, when a transverse jerk is applied to strip the fastener, in order to facilitate passage of the upper flange portion 54 through the space between the adjacent slider flanges 45.

Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 9, the cord of the reinforced tapeedge portion 3| does not completely fill the interior space of the upper flange portion 54 and for this reason the upper flange portion 54 is substantially more yieldable than the lower flange portion 53. the interior space of which is substantially filled by the reinforced tape edge portion. Since spreading of the wings 43 and 44 varies directly with the side edges of the upper or front plate portion 5| through the tape 30 and are bent over upon the lower or rear plate portion 53, as shown in Figs. 9 and 10, Thus, by means of the tabs 55 and 56 the plate portions 5| and 52 are firmly secured together and clamped to the tape 3| in such manner that relative movement between the top stop 50 and the tape 30 is effectively prevented.

The thickness of the flange portion 53 is substantially greater than the space between the adjacent slider flanges 45, as shown in Fig. 10.

As also shown in that figure, this lower flange portion 53 joins the flat plate portions 5| and 52 in relatively acute bends forming shoulders 53a which normally effectively maintain the flange portion of the top stop 55 in the channel of the slider 42.

The upper flange portion 54, though thinner than the lower flange portion 53, is slightly thicker than the space between the above described adjacent flanges 45 of the slider, as shown in Fig. 9. This upper flange portion 54 joins the plate portions 5| and 52 by relatively gently inclined surfaces 54a, as also shown in that figure, and these surfaces 54a act as a wedge,

. when a transverse jerk is applied to strip the fastener, in order to facilitate passage of the upper flange portion 54 through the space between the adjacent slider flanges 45.

Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 9, the cord of the reinforced tape edge portion 3| does not completely flll the interior space of the upper flange portion 54 and for this reason the upper flange portion 54 is substantially more yieldable than the lower flange portion 53, the interior space of which is substantially fllled by the reinforced tape edge portion. Since spreading of the wings 43 and 44 varies directly with the distance from the upper end or neck 45 'of the slider, upon application of spreading force between the wings 43 and 44, the spreading of the upper ends of the flanges 45 (Fig. 9) will be less than that of the lower ends of the flanges 45 (Fig. 10). Thus, it is necessary, in order that a jerk may snap the top stop 50 transversely out of the channel of the slider 42, that the resistance to such snapping out be less in the upper flange portion 54 than in the lower flange portion 53. In the top stop 50, this condition exists since the interior of the upper flange portion 54 is not completely fllled by the reinforced edge portion of the tape while the lower flange portion 53 is so filled.

While, in a jacket or the like provided with a closure equipped with a slide fastener according to this invention, the portions of the garment or the like at opposite sides of the closure adjacent the upper end of the fastener may be manually engageable to apply a stripping jerk to the fastener, as for instance, the collar tabs of the garment shown in Figs. 1-4, it is preferable, for convenience, that the garment or the like be provided with manually engageable tabs such as the tabs 58 shown in Figs. 1-4 inclusive in order to facilitate application of stripping force to the fastener.

Fig. 1 shows, diagrammatically, a garment having a front closure equipped with a slide fastener according to this invention and also with manually engageable tabs 58. When the fastener is closed, as shown in Fig. 1, these tabs 58 may be grasped, as shown in Fig. 1, and a transverse jerk applied thereto to snap the yieldable flange portions 53, 54 out of the channel of the slider to the position shown in Fig. 2. The stripping or separation of the stringers 25 and 25 will then continue, bringing the fastener parts to the position shown diagrammatically in Fig. 3 wherein the rows of interlocking fastener members 28 of the stringers are totally separated and wherein the pin member 40 is falling out through the enlarged slot portion 4! of the retainer member of the separating end fitting. This falling out of the pin will continue automatically to bring the parts to the position shown in Fig. 4 wherein the top stop 55 is totally separated from the slider, the stringers 25 and 25 are separated throughout their ,length and the pin 40 and retainer member 35 are free of one another.

It will be noted that this complete stripping of the fastener has been accomplished without any manipulation whatsoever of the slider 42 which remains (Fig. 4) in its original position (Fig. 1) with respect to the right-hand stringer 25. To close the fastener or return the parts to the position shown in Fig. 1 it is merely necessary to move the slider 42 downwardly to its lowermost position adjacent the retainer 35 of the separating end fltting, thread the pin member 40 through the channel of the slider and into seated position in the pin receiving socket 38 and then move the slider upwardly to its uppermost, fastener closing, position shown' in Fig. 1.

Should the stringers 25 and 25 become accldentally separated below the slider, at any time, it is merely necessary to move the slider upwardly to its fastener closing position wherein it is supported by the top stop 50, as shown in Figs. 1, 5 and 7, then to snap the top stop 50 out of the channel of the slider 42, as described above, to separate the stringers 25 and 25 throughout their length, causing the pin member 40 to fall out of the retainer member 35 and then to bring the slider to its lowermost position adjacent the retainer member 35 whereafter the pin member 40 may be seated in the pin receiving socket 35 of the retainer member 35, as described above, and the slider again brought to fastener closing position, as shown in Fig. 1.

It will thus be seen that a separating end slide fastener provided with a new and improved top stop, according to this invention, and a new and improved bottom end fltting having an enlarged slot permitting the pin to fall out after stripping of the stringers thereabove, permits emergency opening of the fastener without necessity of manual movement of the slider from its uppermost fastener closing position wherein it is supported on the new and improved snap out top stop and prevented by this top stop and the conventional top stop on the other stringer, from moving further upward on the fastener.

It will likewise be understood that this new and improved top stop facilitates the correction necessary upon occurrence of stringer separation behind, or below, the slider because the slider may be brought to its uppermost, fastener closing, position and the snap out top stop snapped out between the flanges thereof to separate or strip the stringers completely from end to end, whereupon the parts of the separating end fitting will automatically become separated, making it possible, by merely moving the slider to its lowermost position, again to connect the parts of the separating end fitting and pull up the slider to connect the stringers and close the fastener.

A modified form of improved top stop is illus trated in Figs. 11 and 12 and is therein generally designated 50. This top stop comprises a rear plate portion 5| extending transversely from side to side at the back of the left-hand stringer tape 30, being bent over. upon the forward side of the tape 30 to form a relatively wide plate-like flat portion 52 covering the outer edge portion and central portion of the tape 35 and relatively narrower longitudinally spaced flange portions 53 having projections 64 (Fig. 12) at their ends adapted to be embedded in the tape 35. The flange portions 53 are formed by slotting the inner part of the plate portion 5| at 55 to form a resilient tab or tongue 55, intermediate the flange portions 53, this tab or tongue 55 being bent outwardly adjacent its end portion to form a resilient retainer member normally retaining the inner edge portion of the top stop in the channel of the slider but capable of being snapped through the adjacent flanges 45 (Fig. 12) for emergency stripping of the fastener.

In order to attach the improved top stop 60 securely to the tape 30, the plate portion BI is provided with an aperture 51 and the flange portion 82 is provided with a complementary and aligned aperture 68 through which a grommet or rivet 69 is secured for this purpose. As shown in Figs. 11 and 12. the cords of the tape edge reinforcement 3| are cut away, or removed, immediately adjacent and above the uppermost interlocking fastener member 29 on the left-hand stringer tape 30. This makes it possible to secure extreme resiliency in the tab or tongue 65 whereby it may be readily snapped out between the adjacent flanges 45 of the slider.

A second modified form of new and improved snap-out top stop is illustrated in Figs. 13 and 14 and is therein generally designated 10. As with the top stop 60 (Figs. 11 and 12) the cords of the tape edge reinforcement 3| are also removed or cut away immediately adjacent the upper interlocking fastener member 29 of the stringer 30. The top stop '10 comprises a pair of plate portions H and 12 comparable with th plate portions and 52 of the top stop 50 described above. They are joined by a bend extending about the inner edge of the tape 30, which bend is enlarged or embossed at its lower end portion 14 which is provided with a slot 13 adapted to receive the uppermost interlocking fastener member 29 on the stringer 30, the enlarged portion 14 of the bend, below the slot 13, fitting relatively closely between this uppermost interlocking fastener member 29 and the next adjacent interlocking fastener member 29 on the stringer 30.

This lower inner edge portion of the top stop effectively encases the upper end of the tape edge reinforcement 3|, as shown in Fig. 14, to prevent vent fraying and undesirable wear as well as to increase the firmness of attachment of the top stop 70 to the stringer tape 30. The inner edge portion 15 of the top stop immediately adjacent and above the enlarged portion 14 is relatively thin and fits closely adjacentthe tape 30 (Fig. 14) in order that it shall not, in any way, interfere with the adjacent flanges 45 at the left side of the slider.

The upper inner edge portion 16 of the top stop,

however, is substantially enlarged to form a boss' cooperating with the adjacent flanges 45 at the left-hand side of the slider normally to maintain the inner edge portion of the top stop 10 in the channel of the slider or to maintain the slider on the track formed by the interlocking fastener members 29 on the tape 30 and the top stop 10. The boss formed by this enlarged portion 16 is relatively compressible and will readily yield sufficlently to snap through the upper end portion of the flanges 45 (Fig. 9) when a stripping jerk is applied thereto in order to free the top stop 10 from the channel of the slider for emergency stripping of the fastener.

In addition to the attaching means provided by the above described portion 14, the top stop 10 is also provided with a prong or tab ll extending from the outer edge of the plate portion 12 and adapted to penetrate the tape 30 and be folded over the plate portion H, as shown in Fig. 13, as well as prongs or tabs 18 extending from the upper and lower edges of the plate portion II and adapted to penetrate the tape 38 and to be folded over the plate portion 12, as shown in Fig. 13.

In Fig. 8 is illustrated a sleeping bag equipped with a pair of slide fasteners provided with improved top and bottom stops, according to this invention, the bag comprising a back wall 88 having an extension 8| at its upper end adapted to form the back of the head portion and a side wall 82 attached to the back wall and extending substantially completely thereabout. Attached to this side wall 82 is a part 83 complementary with the above described extension 8| to form the head portion 84 of the bag, scarf-like extensions 83 extending from part 83 to be wrapped about the neck of an occupant of the bag 80.

The front wall 86 of the bag has a pair of slide fastener stringers extending about its perimeter, the top stops being slightly spaced from one another at the upper end of the wall 86 and similar parts of bottom end fittings being similarly spaced at the lower end of the wall 86. Complementary stringers are secured about the upper edge of the side wall 82, the top stops of these fasteners 81 being of the type herein illustrated and above described, and the bottom end fittings being of the improved drop-out type illustrated in Fig. 1-6. Because of the provision of these fasteners 81, the wall 86 of the bag 80 is substantially detachable from the remainder of the bag for airing and free access. In use, the parts of the bottom end fittings are assembled and the fasteners 81 pulled up part way, whereupon the user may enter the bag and thereafter pull up the sliders 42 of both fasteners 81 to the position shown in Fig. 8 to close the bag.

If quick egress is desired, it is merely necessary to separate portions of the bag adjacent the upper ends of the fasteners 81 for which purpose the interior of the bag may be provided with manually engageable tabs or the like similar to the above described tabs 58, to strip the fasteners to any desired degree to permit quick egress in time of emergency.

In cases where detachability of the slider is desired this may be accomplished by equipping the fastener with two top stops, according to this invention, or, in other words, by substituting a top stop such as 5|], 60 or 10 for the conventional top stop 32, described above.

It is, of course, to be understood that the above description is merely illustrative and in nowise limiting and that I desire to comprehend within my invention such modifications as are included within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a slide fastener including a pair of stringer tapes having rows of interlocking fastener member's thereon and a slider supported on said rows of interlocking fastener members, a top stop on one of said stringer tapes engaged by said slider in its uppermost position and limiting upward movement thereof, and means on said top stop normally maintaining said slider on said stringer tape and yieldable for detachment of said slider from said stringer upon application of transverse spreading force to said stringer tapes for separating said stringer tapes to strip said fastener.

2. In a slide fastener including a pair of stringer tapes having rows of interlocking fastener members thereon and a slider supported on said rows of interlocking fastener members, a rigid stop member attached to one of said stringer tapes and positively limiting upward'movement of said slider, and a top stop on the other stringer tape supporting said slider in its uppermost position and means on said last named top stop normally maintaining said slider on said last named stringer tape and'yieldable for detachment of said slider transversely from said last named stringer upon application of transverse tape spreading force adjacent said slider in its uppermost position, to snap said tapes apart and strip said fastener from end to end.

3. In a slide fastener including a pair of stringer tapes having rows of interlocking fastener members thereon and a slider supported on said rows of interlocking fastener members, said slider comprising a pair of spaced, connected wings having marginal side flanges defining a fastener member guide channel, adjacent side flanges of said slider being spaced to accommodate passage of stringer tapes therebetween, and a top stop on one of said stringer tapes supporting said slider in its uppermost position and means on said top stop normally confined in the slider channel by adjacent slider side flanges and yieldable for passage through the space between said side flanges upon sharp application of tape spreading force adjacent the upper end of said fastener for stripping said fastener without movement of said slider.

4. In a slide fastener including a pair of stringer tapes having rows of interlocking fastener members thereon and a slider supported on said rows of interlocking fastener members, a. separating end fitting at the lower end of said fastener comprising a pin member secured to one stringer tape and a retainer member secured to the other tape, said retainer member having therein a pin receiving socket communicating through a stringer tape accommodating slot with the adjacent side of said retainer member, said slot being enlarged at its upper end for free passage of said pin member therethrough whereby said pin member will automatically tilt and fall out of said socket when said fastener tapes are separated above said separating end fitting.

5. In a slide fastener including a pair of stringer tapes having rows of interlocking fastener members thereon and a slider supported on said rows of interlocking fastener members, said slider comprising a pair of spaced, connected wings having marginal side flanges defining a fastener member guide channel and adjacent flanges being spaced to accommodate passage of stringer tapes therebetween, in combination,

a top stop on one of said stringer tapes engaged by said slider in its uppermost position and normally connecting said slider with said stringer tape and capable of detachment from said slider for separating said slider and said stringer tape and stripping said fastener without movement of said slider, and a separating end fitting at the lower end of said fastener comprising complementary members secured to said stringer tapes engageable for maintaining the lower ends of said stringer tapes connected when the stringer tapes are connected thereabove and automatically disengageable upon disconnection of said stringer tapes thereabove for completely freeing said stringer tapes from one another throughout their lengths.

6. In a slide fastener including a pair of stringer tapes having rows of interlocking fastener members thereon and a slider supported on said rows of interlocking fastener members, said slider. comprising a pair of spaced, connected wings having marginal side flanges defining a fastener member guide channel and adjacent flanges being spaced to accommodate passage of stringer tapes therebetween,'in combination, a top stop on one of said stringer tapes engaged by said slider in its uppermost position and having means normally confined in the slider channel by adjacent slider side flanges to connect said slider with said stringer tape and capable of passing through the space between said side flanges upon sharp application of transverse tape spreading force adjacent the upper end of said fastener for separating said slider and said stringer tape and stripping said fastener without movement of said slider, and a separating end fitting at the lower end of said fastener comprising complementary members secured to said stringer tapes engageable for maintaining the lower ends of said stringer tapes connected when the stringer tapes are connected thereabove and automatically disengageable upon disconnection of said stringer tapes thereabove for completely freeing said stringer tapes from one another.

7. In a slide fastener including a pair of stringer tapes having rows of interlocking fastener members thereon and a slider supported on said rows of interlocking fastener members, said slider comprising a pair of spaced, connected wings having marginal side flanges defining a fastener member guide channel, adjacent flanges being spaced to accommodate passage of stringer tapes therebetween, in combination, a top stop on one of said stringer tapes adjacent its upper end supporting said slider in its uppermost position and having means normally confined in the slider channel by adjacent slider side flanges to connect said slider and said stringer tape and capable of passing through the space between said side flanges upon sharp application of transverse tape spreading force adjacent the upper end of said-fastener for separating said slider and said stringer tape and stripping said fastener without movement of said slider, and a separating end fitting at the lower end of said fastener comprising a pin member secured to one stringer tape and a retainer member secured to the other tape, said retainer member having therein a pin receiving socket communicating through a stringer tape accommodating slot with the adjacent side of said retainer member, said slot being enlarged at its upper end for free passage of said pin member therethrough, whereby said pin member will automatically fall out of said socket when said fastener tapes are separated above said separating end fitting.

8. In a slide fastener including a pair of stringer tapes having rows of interlocking fastener members thereon and a slider supported on said rows of interlocking fastener members, said slider comprising a pair of spaced, connected wings having marginal side flanges defining a, fastener member guide channel, adjacent side flanges of said slider being spaced to accommodate passage of stringer tapes therebetween, and a top stop on one of said stringer tapes engaged by said slider in its uppermost position and flange means on said top stop normally confined in the slider channel by adjacent slider side flanges capable of passing through the space between said adjacent side flanges upon sharp application of transverse tape spreading force adjacent the upper end of said fastener for stripping said fastener without movement of said slider.

9. In a slide fastener including a pair of stringer tapes having rows of interlocking fastener members thereon and a slider supported on said rows of interlocking fastener members, said slider comprising a pair of spaced, connected wings having marginal side flanges defining a fastener member guide channel and adjacent flanges being spaced to accommodate passage of stringer tapes therebetween, and a top stop on oneof said stringer tapes supporting said slider in its uppermost position and normally connecting said slider with said stringer tape and capable of disconnection therefrom upon application of abnormal stringer tape spreading force adjacent the upper end of said fastener for stripping of said fastener without movement of said slider, said top stop comprising a clamp-like body extending over both sides of said stringer tape and having a yieldable portion normally confined in said slider channel by said adjacent slider side flanges, said yieldable portion being compressed for passage through the space between said adjacent slider side flanges upon application of said abnormal stringer tape spreading force.

10. In a slide fastener including a pair of stringer tapes having rows of interlocking fastener members thereon and a slider supported on said rows of interlocking fastener members, said slider comprising a pair of spaced, connected wings having marginal side flanges defining a fastener member guide channel and adjacent side flanges being spaced to accommodate passage of stringer tapes therebetween, and a top stop on one of said stringer tapes supporting-said slider in its uppermost position and normally connecting said slider with said stringer tape and capable of disconnection therefrom upon application of abnormal stringer tape spreading force adjacent the upper end of said fastener for stripping of said fastener without movement of said slider, said top stop comprising a pair of plate portions secured at opposite sides of said stringer tape and connected by an enlarged flange portion normally confined in the guide channel of said slider by adjacent side flanges of said slider and capable of passing through the space between said adjacent side flanges upon application of said abnormal stringer tape spreading force F to the upper end of said fastener.

11. In a slide fastener including a pair of stringer tapes having rows of interlocking fastener members thereon and a slider supported on said rows of interlocking fastener members, i

said slider comprising a pair of spaced, connected wings having marginal side flanges defining a wardly flaring progressively thinner substantially trapezoidal flange portion, said lower flange portion engaging the lower portions of adjacent side stringer tapes having rows of interlocking fastener members thereon and a slider supported on said rows of interlocking fastener members, said slider comprising a pair of spaced, connected wings having marginal side flanges defining a fastener member guide channel and adjacent flanges being spaced to accommodate passage of stringer tapes therebetween, the flanges on each wing having substantially parallel lower portions and outwardly diverging upper portions, and a' top stop on one of said stringer tapes supporting said slider in its uppermost position and normally connecting said slider with said stringer tape and capable of disconnection therefrom upon application of abnormal stringer tape spreading force adjacent the upper end of said fastener for strippingof said fastener without movement of said slider, said top stop comprising a pair of plate portions secured at opposite sides of said stringer tape and an intermediate flange connecting said plate portions and comprising a lower flange portion of substantially-rectangular section joining said plate portions in relatively acute fastener member guide channel and adjacent flanges being spaced to accomodate passage of stringer tapes therebetween, the flanges on each wing having substantially parallel lower portions and outwardly diverging upper portions, and a top stop on one of said stringer tapes supporting said slider in its uppermost position and normally connecting said slider with said stringer tape and capable of disconnection therefrom upon application of abnormal stringer tape spreading force adjacent the upper end of said fastener for stripping of said fastener without movement of said slider, said top stop comprising a pair of plate portions secured at opposite sides of said stringer tape and an intermediate flange connecting said plate portions and comprising a lower flange portion of substantially rectangular section and an upwardly and outbends forming abrupt shoulders, and an upwardly and outwardly flaring progressively thinner substantially trapezoidal flange portion having a thickness slightly greater than the space between adjacent slider side flanges, said lower flange portion having a thickness substantially greater than the space between adjacent slider side flanges and engaging the lower portions of adjacent side flanges while said upwardly and outwardly flaring flange portionengages the outwardly diverging upper portions of the slider side flanges in the uppermost position of the slider, said shoulders causing spreading of adjacent slider side flanges while said upwardly and outwardly flaring flange portion is compressed during passage of said flange through the space between adjacent side flanges upon application of said abnormal stringer tape spreading force.

13. In a slide fastener including a pair of stringer tapes having rows of interlocking fastener members thereon and a slider supported on said -rows of interlocking fastener members, said slider comprising a pair of spaced, connected wings having marginal side flanges defining a fastener member guide channel and adjacent flanges being spaced to accommodate passage of stringer tapes therebetween, and a top stop on one of said stringer tapes supporting said slider in its uppermost position and normally connecting said slider with said stringer tape and capable of disconnection therefrom upon application of abnormal tape spreading force adjacent the upper end of said fastener for stripping of said fastener without movement of said slider, said top stop comprising plate portions secured at 0P- posite sides of said tape and a part of one of said plate portions being slotted adjacent the inner edge of said tape to form a yielding tongue normally retaining the inner edge portion of said top stop in the guide channel of said slider and yielding upon application of said abnormal tape spreading force to said fastener for passage fastener members, said slider comprising a pair of spaced, connected wings having marginal side flanges defining a fastener member guide channel and adjacent flanges being spaced for passage of stringer tapes therebetween, one of said stringer tapes having its edge reinforcement removed above the uppermost fastener member thereon, and a top stop on said stringer tape supporting said slider. in its uppermost position and normally connecting said slider with said stringer tape and capable of disconnection therefrom upon application of abnormal stringer tape spreading force adjacent the upper end of said fastener for stripping of said fastener without movement of said slider, said top stop comprising a pair of plate portions secured at opposite sides of said stringer tape and a bend connecting said plate portions and forming a pair of longitudinally spaced enlargements, the lower enlargement being provided with a slot receiving the uppermost fastener member on said tape and the upper portion of said lower enlargement enclosing the end of the tape edge reinforcement above the uppermost fastener member, and the upper enlargement being substantiallyspaced from the underlying unreinforced tape edge for ultimate compressibility. v

1 In a slide fastener including a pair of stringer tapes having reinforced edges with rows of interlocking fastener members thereon and a disconnectiontherefrom upon application of abnormal stringer tape spreading force adjacent the upper end of said fastener for stripping of said fastener without movement of said slider, said top stop comprising a pair of plate portions secured at opposite sides of said stringertape and a bent portion connecting said plate portions and forming a pair of longitudinally spaced enlarge.- ments, the lower enlargement having a slot receiving the uppermost fastener member on said tape whereby said fastener member is surrounded by said lower enlargement, and the upper enlargement being substantially spaced from the underlying tape edge for ultimate compressibility.

ALFRED E. CARLILE. 

